1930 – 2014

SUMNER — Stuart R. Cooper, 83, of Sumner, died Tuesday, Feb. 18.

He was born on Nov. 28, 1930, the fourth child of Lawrence and Alice Cooper of Auburn. He joined the Boy Scouts at age 11½, and spent three summers at Boy Scout camp. He became an Eagle Scout in a year and a half, having earned 37 merit badges. He mentored several Eagle Scouts, including his two sons.

Stuart married Esther Hammond on Aug. 30, 1952.

He studied chemical engineering at the University of Maine in Orono, following a family tradition started by his uncle and brother. He earned a bachelor’s degree in 1952 and a master’s degree in 1953. All three of his children also earned engineering degrees from the University of Maine and two of his granddaughters are also pursuing careers in engineering.

Stuart worked as a chemical engineer at the Rumford paper mill for Oxford Paper Co., Ethyl Corp., and Boise Cascade from 1953 to 1991. He also served on the sewer treatment plant board for Rumford-Mexico.

He joined the Mexico United Church of Christ in 1958, and served as a Sunday school teacher, trustee and deacon through the years. He was active with the Maine Conference UCC and served on its board of directors.

Stuart also served on the board of directors for Rumford Community Hospital for more than 40 years and helped supervise the 1968 building addition to the hospital, as well as having been chairman of the board of directors for Rumford Nursing Home.

He spent the past 50 years enjoying and improving the family farm in Sumner.

He is survived by his wife; two sons, Stuart Jr. and Richard and wife, Catherine, of Massachusetts; daughter, Ruth Kendall and husband, Kenneth, of Washington; and four granddaughters.